It was wonderful to return to Appamada this week after more than a month away and to be back with the sangha in Inquiry. This is a very brief post to share the joy and energy that moved in our return meeting this Tuesday, July 18.
There is often an expectation — especially with kids — when someone returns from a long trip: “What did you bring me!?” We rejoice in finding just the right gift for our loved ones and we all love to receive a surprise from some special or exotic location someone has visited. This is also true for me. I always want to bring something to the sangha, and not only when I return from traveling, but every week. I always want to bring something useful, inspiring or transformative. I want our time together to make a difference. On this recent trip my dear friend and neighbor Teri Waros, the owner of a lovely gift and book store in Kaunakakai, Molokai, offered me this piece by Rumi. It seemed perfect. [To see more about Teri check out this interview].
You've no idea how hard I've looked for a gift to bring You.
Nothing seemed right. What's the point of bringing gold
to the gold mine, or water to the Ocean. Everything I came
up with was like taking spices to the Orient. It's no good
giving my heart and my soul because you already have these.
So- I've brought you a mirror.
Look at yourself and remember me.
I felt we could even read the last line without the “me” at the end. We meet in Inquiry as mirrors for each other to help us Remember. Together we remember our True Nature, our beauty and perfection, our wholeness as “messy miracles.” This requires us to rest rather than to strive. To accept rather than judge. We simply walk together along the path, opening to the world and to each other. These are the things I spoke about and which moved in the group. I won’t write much more, but I hope you enjoy the recording linked below.
Inquiry recording:
The Gift of Rest
There is often an expectation — especially with kids — when someone returns from a long trip: “What did you bring me!?” We rejoice in finding just the right gift for our loved ones and we all love to receive a surprise from some special or exotic location someone has visited. This is also true for me. I always want to bring something to the sangha, and not only when I return from traveling, but every week. I always want to bring something useful, inspiring or transformative. I want our time together to make a difference. On this recent trip my dear friend and neighbor Teri Waros, the owner of a lovely gift and book store in Kaunakakai, Molokai, offered me this piece by Rumi. It seemed perfect. [To see more about Teri check out this interview].
Nothing seemed right. What's the point of bringing gold
to the gold mine, or water to the Ocean. Everything I came
up with was like taking spices to the Orient. It's no good
giving my heart and my soul because you already have these.
So- I've brought you a mirror.
Look at yourself and remember me.
I felt we could even read the last line without the “me” at the end. We meet in Inquiry as mirrors for each other to help us Remember. Together we remember our True Nature, our beauty and perfection, our wholeness as “messy miracles.” This requires us to rest rather than to strive. To accept rather than judge. We simply walk together along the path, opening to the world and to each other. These are the things I spoke about and which moved in the group. I won’t write much more, but I hope you enjoy the recording linked below.
Inquiry recording:
The Gift of Rest